BARTOW, Fla. – Jan. 5, 2010 – It’s not too early to file for a property tax exemption for next year, according to Polk County Property Appraiser Marsha Faux, Faux said filing now will allow property owners to beat the rush that normally occurs early in the year as people try to beat the March 1 deadline.

Faux said her staff is accepting applications for homestead, portability, widow, widower, disability, veterans, senior, religious and charitable exemptions as well as applications for agricultural classification, also known as greenbelting.

Applicants filing for homestead exemption for the first time must apply in person and bring their recorded deed and proof of residency, which includes Florida driver license, Florida vehicle registration, Florida voter registration or resident alien card.

Persons filing for any exemption are required to present their Social Security cards.

A husband and wife must both have Florida driver licenses, if both drive.

Homestead exemptions are allowed on mobile homes if the landowner also is the owner of the mobile home. The mobile home registration must be provided at the time of filing.

A widow or widower must provide a copy of their late spouse’s death certificate.

Applicants for the disability exemption must provide a letter from a certified Florida physician verifying a total and permanent disability.

Veterans exemption applicants must provide documentation of percentage of service-connected disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Copyright © 2010 The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla., Tom Palmer. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.